If you find it hard to use eye drops, ask a pharmacist for advice. They may be able to recommend an eye drop dispenser. Using eye drops correctly can be difficult, but there are several useful devices (compliance aids) available to help. Speak to your pharmacist to see which device would best suit your eye drops. Brands include,Autodrop, Opticare and Drop Aid Single Dose. Expiry dates and storage The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Celluvisc 1.0% in clinical practice. It’s also very important to keep your eyelids clean. Wipes, pads or rinses are available to buy from pharmacies, or you can simply use warm water.

gently massaging your eyelids with your finger or a cotton bud – this pushes the oils out of the glands blink regularly (ask your doctor or eye specialist for advice on blinking exercises if you need them)Use the carmellose sodium eye drops within the expiry date on the bottle. Use them within 4 weeks of opening, unless your drops come with different instructions. This will help to prevent the risk of eye infections and the eye drops not working so well. Ask a pharmacist if you are not sure. Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Uncommon: Lacrimation increased, vision blurred, eye discharge, eyelid margin crusting and/or medication residue, foreign body sensation in eye, ocular hyperemia, visual impairment. If you use carmellose sodium with other eye drops, wait at least 5 minutes before using your other eye drops. The second eye drops can wash out the carmellose sodium and it may not work as well.

Hold the bottle or dropper over your eye, look up, and allow 1 drop to fall into your lower eyelid. If patient experiences transient blurring of vision, they should be advised not to drive or operating machinery until vision is clear. Counselling Drugs During Pregnancy and Lactation: Treatment Options and Risk Assessment, 2nd edition (2007) ed. Schaefer, C., Peters, P. and Miller, R. Elsevier, London. Repeat in your other eye if you need to. There is enough liquid in 1 single-dose dropper to put a drop in both eyes if needed. Make sure the tip of the bottle or dropper does not touch anything, including your eye, eyelashes, eyelid or your skin.

3. Who can and cannot use carmellose sodium

Single-dose droppers should usually be used as soon as you open them. But you can reseal some brands and use them again up to 12 hours later, for example Carmize, Cellusan and Melophthal. Carmellose sodium comes in a bottle with an eye dropper, or as a box of single-dose droppers. The single-dose droppers do not contain preservatives. How to use the eye drops Make sure that the single-dose container is intact before use. The solution should be used immediately after opening. To avoid contamination or possible eye injury, do not let the open-end of the single-dose container touch your eye or anything else. Wash your hands before use. Use one drop into the eye (or eyes) affected by dryness. Many people find it is sufficient to use the drops three or four times a day, but you can use the drops more frequently if your eyes are very dry. If the drops have been prescribed for you then follow the directions given by your doctor.

Uncommon: Superficial injury of eye ( from the vial tip touching the eye during administration) and/or corneal abrasion Superficial injury of eye ( from the vial tip touching the eye during administration) and/or corneal abrasion. soaking a flannel in warm water (not hot) and gently press it on the area around your eyes – this makes the oil produced by the glands around your eyes more runny

Adults

Advise patients that instillation of eye drops may cause transient blurring of vision and to avoid driving or operating machinery until vision is clear. If you also use an eye ointment, always use your eye drops first and wait 5 minutes before using the ointment. The recommended dose is 1-2 drops of CELLUVISC ® in the affected eye/each affected eye, 4 times a day or as often as needed.

Application may cause transient blurring of vision; patients should avoid driving or operating machinery until vision is clear. Pregnancy and Lactation Pregnancy The following additional adverse reactions have been identified during postmarketing use of Celluvisc in clinical practice. Because postmarketing reporting of these reactions is voluntary and from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate the frequency of these reactions. Close your eye. Gently press your finger over the inside corner of your eye (over the eyelid) for about 1 minute. This helps to keep the drop in your eye. If you forget to use your eye drops, use them when you need them next or when it’s time for your next dose. What if I use too much? The usual dose for adults and children is 1 drop into the affected eye(s), 4 times a day, or as needed.Concomitant ocular medication should be administered 15 minutes prior to the instillation of carmellose sodium eye drops.